Need-based Aid Per Student

About this Indicator

State need-based grant aid includes all grant aid distributed through state programs that have financial need as a criterion for student eligibility. This indicator also includes aid awarded through hybrid programs that combine financial need and merit criteria, but funding through programs based solely on academic merit or other factors is excluded. Need-based grant programs generally define financial need using income thresholds; the FAFSA Student Aid Index (formerly expected family contribution or EFC); an unmet-need calculation such as the difference between the SAI/EFC and cost of attendance; or proxies such as Pell eligibility and participation in means-tested benefits. Grant aid amounts include awards to undergraduate students attending any eligible postsecondary institution, including public, private not-for-profit, and private for-profit institutions. Three approaches to measuring and comparing funding levels across states are provided using the total number of full-time aid recipients, FTE students, and Pell Grant recipients.

An overview of state grant-aid programs and policy options is available online.

Data Source

National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs. Annual survey report on state-sponsored student financial aid.

Note. Total Aid Per Pell Grant Recipient data are not available between 2004 and 2007.